Which, since Hull sit top currently, it clearly has done. We might not have value for money yet but a good way to look at it is we gave money to another SL club, which is good for the league in general if more teams do it.

Sorry Alffi I can't agree, £125k might not be a big deal to us, but, surely it is a big deal to spend that kind of cash on a 'project'?

Especially so if you are balancing the books across a squad and that TS's project will be getting paid a wage, probably a fairly decent one in comparative terms and in a capped sport.

Still don't really understand why the club released the Lineham/Bailey locker room video as it portrayed both players in a pretty bad light. Now adding to that the Daily Star interview and I have to wonder what on earth is going on (especially if the club sanctioned an interview with that rag). I'm dreading the day when he wins a Sky Man of the Match award, god know what he'll come out with!

The club need to give him some advice/training in dealing with the media and for the meantime he ought to shut up and start to do his 'talking' on the pitch.

I'm sorry for prattling on especially as a naysayer, but, whilst splashing the cash might be commendable, splashing it willy-nilly isn't a good business, or sporting model

There appears to be a lot of leaping to conclusions, as there were with Matt King (not saying he is in same class but his first season and reaction to the fans in "that" game may be relevant).

But TS (and myself) are not expecting Lineham to continue at his current level, we are expecting him to improve, if he doesn't the 'project' would absolutely be labelled as a definite failure.

He has signed a 4 year contract (I think?), if in years 2-4 he picks up his game and plays to his potential, then it was worthwhile.

Speculating £125k on a player who might improve makes Tom a pretty expensive apprentice.

I'd be disappointed if I was Kevin Penny. The two of them display/displayed the same frailties in their game, both have/had a bit of growing up to do, but both shown great attacking potential and boasted a good try scoring rate.

One gets a mega money deal, one gets a full time job and a Swinton Lions tracksuit.

I think Lineham can be a good player for the club, but as above, an expensive project

i think the worry that most of us have, is that he doesn't; have the stones to knuckle down, and improve himself, he should be looking at being the next ryan hall, based on size and body type, but he'd have to work bloody hard to improve himself.

And yes, the point about penny is a great one, he should be held up as a success story about what working hard will you get you.

Lineham's card is well and truly marked. It's becoming difficult to see a future for him here at this time. He doesn't seem the character to get a kick from deselection. More like he couldn't be too bothered either way.

Lineham, unfortunately, is a lazy young man, who needs a rocket up his Aris. His attitude smells worse than Gatewarth sewage works.
Smith's faith in him is wearing thin, and makes him look like a fool, as he's the one who's knocked on Moran's door, and asked him to buy Lineham.

Having said that, he'd've scored that try in the corner, that Russell msde a mess of.

I tjought the same thing when Russell try was disallowed!!

I personally don't think dropping him is going to do any good, he needs confidance a good run of games will give him. I thought I went looking for the ball against hull and truly wanted to make an impact against them, I think it's unfair to drop him based on that game personally.

I believe had we not spent money on him.n signed him ooc there would be far more patience for him, when we as a team have played well he has scored!! Despite the fact not getting much ball or chances created by his centre!!

He has his weaknesses but no worse in defence than penny!! wing play is so hard as a mistake is emphasised as in attack it's a scoring opportunity missed and in defence it could result in a try the margin for error is far smaller than anywhere else on the pitch. I do expect him to improve! We don't know the factors behind his drop in form / effort and are only speculating I trust that the club will be working on turning things around for him as the incentive is there he can be one if best wingers in the super league!! on his side he could be in a trophy winning team I refuse to believe he joined us with the intention if performing how he is is currently.

We did have a lot of criticism of Daryl Clark in his first season due to loss of form, & Asotasi didn't get his form back till the last two games of his 2 year contract .

Looks a shadow of the player that scooted down the touchline against us for the last few years.

I read an article on his fatness recently where he complained at a lack of ball and said at Hull he got more ball. Bit of a dig at Evans but I do think he has a point. Neither Evans or Atkins can pass the bloody ball. The only way the winger's get ball is by coming in field.

Same song sheet.

A winger is only as good as his last pass.
Inside every world class winger is a world class centre.

Bevan Challinor. Eg

Look at how good Faafili's try scoring record was outside of Gleeson.
What keeps Atkins in our team is because he knows where the try line is again not for knowing where his winger is.
It's Currie and or Sandow who puts Penny through.

Same goes on the right side, Evans is in because of his defence and he's actually fit, plus we have no other centre but Toby or make do with Hughes or Rachford, who incidentally along with Gidley are responsible for supplying the right edge, whoever that may be.

I agree with people who say a good centre makes a winger, and for all Rhys Evans determination in defence he must be the worst attacking centre out of all the top 8 sides... cannot pass and never seems to beat a man.

It is a bonus when a winger can create out of nothing and it can often win games. Chris Hicks in the CCSF against Wigan springs to mind.

What a winger he was in retrospect.

It would be interesting to see how Lineham would perform outside an in form ,injury free Chris Bridge.

Great idea, send him to Widnes so we can find out

Brlliant

Linehan not even playing for Rochdale today. Any reason why?

Possibly because they are already fielding Toby King, Joe Philbin and Sam Wilde. Alternatively they might think he is not good enough at the moment, after all they are second in the table and must fancy their chances of promotion.

I see Toby King scored their first try.

Whatever Lineham's faults (and he has a fair number), it was pretty clear on Friday that Russell on the wing is not the answer. One of those daft ideas that come up from time to time on here but surprised to see Smith give it the time of day.

Agreed. Russell full back, Ratchford centre, Evans wing for me. More creativity at centre plus more metres from Russell from full back. Evans would be solid on the wing and capable of finishing.

Chris Hicks is the best winger we've ever had in SL. Never mind the semi, what about his 'hat trick final' against Leeds. I've watched that game over and over again and still cannot believe the strength he shows to go over taking half the Leeds defence with him. Truly remarkable.
An awesome athlete.
Like Monaghan only faster.

Pre-SL, too young to see Brian Bevan, but John Bevan was special.

I've been critical of Lineham from fairly early on, but continuing the criticism isn't going to help him or the club or our aim to win the GF or CC.

Lots of criticism of many players after Friday, but Penny for me has to stay on the left wing.
Russell didn't respect the ball in his 'running' and that was frustrating but I think that would have happened regardless of being full back or wing.

I do like the idea of Ratch/Evans on the right though with Russell at f/b.....
If it doesn't work then go back to Friday's set up.